King of Pop?... King of Slop. (Invincible - Michael Jackson)

Member Name: Cwej1

Product:	Invincible - Michael Jackson
Date:	24/11/01 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 2000 Watts, Variety

Disadvantages: Not up to the standard we expect, PRONOUNCE THE WORDS, Some terribly trashy lyrics

I bought 'Invincible' on a whim. 'You Rock My World' was an OK song and I had a bit of short change. I chose the red cover, in regards to Michael Jackson absurd decision to have five 'collectable covers'. Collectable implying a fan should buy all five. Verging on desperate methinks...

Enough about the packaging. What's the album actually like? As with many of the most highly anticipated album in the world, 'Invincible' is one huge let down. I must admit, I'm something of a Michael Jackson virgin. Obviously I know the big hits, particularly from the 90s, me being as young as I am, but I've never bought an album of his, so I am judging this purely on the content of the album and not on his past history.

Basically the best tracks on the album are well-produced but somewhat average R'n'B tracks, written with Rodney Jerkins (of Brandy, Mary J Blige, Spicegirls [the flop that was Forever] fame). Jerkins production was groundbreaking when it first emerged strongly on Brandy's 'Never S-A-Y Never' album in 1998. Now it is old hat and dull. 'Unbreakable', 'Heartbreaker', 'Invincible', 'Threatened' and 'You Rock My World are perfect examples of the most typical Jerkins tracks. Now I'm sorry, but if we're going to be calling Michael Jackson the 'King of Pop' surely he needs to be doing something different, original, unique that sets him above the rest of the field. This is not. The aforementioned tracks are pleasant enough (particularly 'You Rock My World'), but anyone could be singing them.

On the other hand, away from the over-produced R'n'B we have the ballads. These are weak. If it wasn't for the fact that this were Michael Jackson, people would be writing them off as being written by A1 or something. Granted 'Speechless' has a pleasant tune, but in all honesty (and I am a songwriter myself so I know this)
it is such a simple song a 5 year old could have written it. 'Don't Walk Away' is just boring, I have little more to say about it. 'The Lost Children' (one of only two tracks penned entirely by Jackson) is one of the most sickly and un-heartfelt songs I've ever heard in my life, sounding like a mixture between a Cliff Richard's Mistletoe And Wine and every Christmas Carol you've ever heard. R Kelly's offering is as predictable as most of his recent work, with a slow build up to a huge (and fake sounding) choir. It is due to be the next single. It's not a particularly bad song, but it's so slow to reach a build-up I can't see it doing particularly well. You mark my words. Even Babyface, who has written such brilliant tracks as 'Take A Bow' by Madonna and his own brilliant duet with Stevie Wonder 'How Come, How Long', can't save the day with the weak offering 'You Are My Life'. Cliched lyrics (You are the sun, you make me shine, you are the moon, that glows in my heart - PUH-LEASE) and not much of a tune.

The songs that don't really fit into either category are the best and the worst tracks. 'Break Of Dawn' is probably a mixture of the two. A ballad-like R'n'B number (thankfully not assisted by Jerkins). Jackson's vocals are good and the hook is strong. However, it is let down by the fact that the next track is SO similar it's depressing. Every time you think you've found something good, Jackson ruins it on this album. 'Butterflies' is a badly produced track full-stop. It just doesn't flow at all, particularly the chorus. 'Whatever Happens' is a decent midtempo track but it does sound somewhat familiar - can't put my finger on it... someone help me out here. However, must admit I like this one and the addition of Carlos Santana gives a bit of variety to the album in terms of style.

To give Jackson his due further, '
2000 Watts' is a brilliant track. Well produced and different, just what we should have had throughout the whole album. And why doesn't he sing like this more often?! His voice sounds so much better without that terrible warbling falsetto (yes, I know it's his trademark, but it's just plain annoying...). And to give Jerkins his due, 'Privacy' is one of his best tracks in a while - different to his norm. Slower and more rocky in it's feel, though Jackson's lyrics grate on the nerve again (I need my privacy, I need my privacy, so paparazzi, get away from me).

In all fairness, there is some strong variety on this album, which I respect and though the bad ones outweigh the good ones, the good ones ARE good. However, there is too long in between the good songs to make this album really feel like a strong project and if I have to try and work out what the hell Jackson is singing one more time I think I'll throw the lyric booklet out of the window (has he not heard of opening his mouth and pronouncing the words correctly? Does that escape so-called Kings of Pop?).

I took my time to review this album because I wondered if it might grow on me. It didn't.

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